The action takes place in the Western territories of Poland towards the end of the war, when the Germans are withdrawing and the Russians approaching. 18 year old Kazio Kominek has a busy time that day, taking his final school examination. He is also taking care of his young German friend, a poet, whom he wants to protect, making friends with yet another contemporary -- a young Russian scout -- during an air raid. At the same time he is trying to rejoin the partisan unit. The town is eventually liberated, but Kazio loses both his friends and his girlfriend.